(a)  At any hearing hereunder, the court may appoint guardians ad litem to represent any client in matters of admission or retention under the provisions of this law. It shall be the duty of the guardian ad litem to make an investigation of the facts, and to report the facts to the court with his or her recommendations, if any.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-22-22

  • Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
  • Client: means any developmentally disabled adult who is in potential need of, or is receiving, services aimed at alleviating his or her condition of functional dependence. See Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-22-3
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6

(b)  The guardian ad litem shall be paid for his or her services, in an amount to be approved by the court, and the guardian ad litem’s services shall be paid from the estate of the client, or if so ordered by the court, shall be paid by the state and reimbursement shall be had by the state from the estate and assets of the developmentally disabled person in the manner as reimbursement for care and treatment is had by the state.

History of Section.
P.L. 1970, ch. 324, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-43.1-22; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 122, § 2.